Canadian visas for brave Afghan workers
September 17 2009 by Mark Johnstone
Kenney helping Afghans get Canada visas
Canadian immigration authorities have revealed plans to offer Canadian visas to Afghanis who have put their lives at risk to work for the Canadian government in Kandahar province.
Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney explained, “There are Afghans who face extraordinary personal risk as a result of their work in support of Canada’s mission in Kandahar.” He continued, “to recognise their contribution, we will offer them special consideration if they wish to move to Canada.”
The measures are to be introduced in October this year and will enable some Afghanis to apply to live in Canada if they have worked for 12 months for the Canadian mission in Afghanistan. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate that they suffered serious injury or faced extraordinary risk while doing their job.
Accompanying spouses and children of any eligible workers will also be allowed to move to Canada. All applicants will, however, be subject to the normal security, medical and criminal screening processes.
Successful applicants will receive benefits to help them settle in Canada, such as income support for their first year in the country. They will also receive health-care cover and resettlement services similar to those offered to refugees.
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